PCI‑6254 | Product Introduction

The NI PCI‑6254 is a high-density, high-speed multi-function DAQ card (32 AI, no AO, no isolation) in the M series of National Instruments (NI), based on PCI bus, full-length card, featuring:

32 AI (16 bit/1.25 MS/s) + 0 AO + 48 DIO + 2 counters

Suitable for multi-channel sensor arrays, high-speed parallel acquisition, laboratory / R&D high-density measurement, and environments without strong interference.

Part number: 779071‑01; discontinued (EOL), replacement model: PCIe‑6354.

I. Basic Information

Model: PCI‑6254

Brand: National Instruments (NI)

Series: M-Series (high density, high speed, non-isolated)

Bus: PCI (3.3 V / 5 V compatible, full-length card)

Connector: 2 × 68-pin VHDCI

Driver: NI-DAQmx

Operating Temperature: 0 ~ 55 °C

Isolation: No isolation (non-isolated type)

II. Analog Input AI (32 channels, high-speed, high-density)

Channels: 32 single-ended / 16 differential (software configurable) NI

Resolution: 16 bits, no bit loss guarantee NI

Maximum Sampling Rate: 1.25 MS/s (single channel); 1 MS/s (total of multiple channels) NI

Input Range (software selectable): ±0.1 V, ±0.2 V, ±0.5 V, ±1 V, ±2 V, ±5 V, ±10 V NI

Coupling: DC NI

Input Impedance: >10 GΩ || 100 pF NI

Maximum Working Voltage: ±11 V (signal + common mode) NI

CMRR: 100 dB @ DC~60 Hz NI

Input FIFO: 4,095 samples NI

III. Analog Output AO

Channels: 0 (no analog output)

IV. Digital I/O (DIO, 48 channels)

Channels: 48 bidirectional TTL (non-isolated)

Level: 5 V TTL/CMOS (compatible with 3.3 V)

Maximum Rate: 10 MHz

DO Drive: Maximum 24 mA/channel (current injection) NI

Function: Bidirectional input/output, event triggering, handshake signal, PFI

V. Counter / Timer

Channels: 2 32-bit general-purpose counters

Clock: 80 MHz internal base

Function: Event counting, frequency / period measurement, pulse output, encoder, PWM

VI. Trigger and Synchronization

Trigger: AI analog edge / window trigger, PFI external digital trigger

Synchronization: RTSI multi-card synchronization

Data Transmission: DMA, interrupt, programmable I/O NI

VII. Installation and Usage Tips Installation

Power off and disconnect, insert into the standard PCI full-length slot, and fix the retaining screws; after powering on, MAX will identify and self-check.

Cabling (2 × 68-pin VHDCI)

AI: Single-ended AIn + GND; Differential AI+/AI−, common mode ≤ ±11 V, without isolation for ground loop NI.

DIO: TTL common ground, 48 channels divided into two groups, to avoid long-distance parallel lines; PFI is used as trigger / clock.

Software configuration (NI-DAQmx)

Sampling: High-speed synchronous scanning, 32 channels polled

Range: Weak signal priority ±0.1 V / ±0.2 V

Trigger: Common edge trigger (rising / falling) Notes for Attention

No isolation, not suitable for strong industrial interference / high voltage.

AI input must not exceed ±11 V to avoid damaging the front end.

VIII. Core Features

32 high-speed AI (1.25 MS/s/16 bit) + 48 DIO + 2 counters, no AO, no isolation NI

Full-length PCI card, dual 68-pin VHDCI, NI-DAQmx driver stable

High-density channels, suitable for parallel acquisition of multiple sensors

Applicable: multi-channel measurement in the laboratory, sensor array, high-speed parallel acquisition, no strong interference environment